Out in droves: Candidates and styles differ, but supporters’ passion resounds

Alysia Hall of Orlando, Fla., wipes away tears as congressman Dennis Kucinich gives a speech outside of Cashman Centerafter he was shut out of the Democratic presidential debate on Tuesday. He sued to participate but eventually lost.

Some of the most interesting sights and sounds of the Democratic presidential debate didn't come from Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, or Barack Obama on the inside of the Cashman Center. Instead the trio's supporters, along with a large legion of Dennis Kucinich backers, made their views, votes, and vocals known on the outside.

Outside the Cashman Center before Tuesday night’s presidential debate, candidates’ supporters lined up on Washington Avenue to wage a visibility war for arriving debate guests and journalists in what could be considered a rehearsal for caucus-day planning.

If debate night were caucus day, this is how the three leading campaigns would drum up support:

New York Sen. Hillary Clinton’s people maybe 100 of them bellowed into bullhorns and banged on plastic buckets.

Among the 50 or so steel workers who turned out for former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, a few were assigned to hoist 5-foot-tall, three-dimensional red letters spelling out his surname. They were heavy, requiring two people to hold each letter, and the brawn of four to hold the “W.”

And Illinois Sen. Barack Obama’s supporters outnumbering Clinton’s by a few relied on no tools, no props, just their voices.

The candidates’ fans started showing up two hours before the debate and were assigned to metal corrals. Staff from each campaign stood on the sidewalk, leading the cheers, while the volunteers leaned over the railings and waved at the passing cars. It could have been a pep rally, what with the bullhorns and balloons, chants and cheers.

If they were trained to cheer by their organizers, so too were they instructed to decline media interviews. And good soldiers they were, most of them politely referring interview requests to campaign leaders.

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Mainstream media wants to see Clinton versus McCain. They want someone who is predictable and fits within the establishment. Why are there all of a sudden lots of black special commentators? I thought race didn't matter! Unfortunately for much of the nation it still does. And all too often I hear from women that they're voting for Hillary because they'd like to see a woman president! I thought gender didn't matter! Unfortunately for many women it still does. The question is will it matter in Nevada? Will you and I set aside our prejudices and consider candidates on their merits, their character, upbringing, what they've done both good and bad, and whether they're a leader? I know its hard, easy to get caught up in the drama, but I beg you to take the time to get to know the candidates before making your decision. Our nation is at a pivotal time, a moment where the stakes are high, the United States is beginning to bleed badly, global warming threatens, the planet is being over run with people. We're going to have to work together to keep our future bright.

Michael, again, Hillary has not been selected as our candidate. This campaign is not over. However, you are right. The Repubs would like nothing better than to run against Hillary. We Dems need to get real and get, preferably Barack, or John Edwards as our candidate

Barack Obama does nothing to inspire me when he is not scripted. He talks a lot about hope and uniting, but does not seem to have a plan to lead the country. Hillary Clinton seems to bring about more of the same blue state/red state divisiveness and Republicans can't wait to run against her. Both seem to be running more for their own ego than for the American people.

John Edwards is the only candidate that has comprehensive plan to bring our country back together. I feel that he is running for the right reasons. He is not financed by corporate lobbyists.

If McCain is the nominee, then experience, especially in international relations and national security will be paramount. The GOP will make no waste of highlighting Obama's inexperience and naivete. Hillary Clinton is the strongest Democratic candidate to take on the Republicans. The Clintons know how to beat the Repblicans. It will take a strong grasp of the issues, foreign and domestic to win the general elections. The Democrats lose when they are viewed as weak on National Security; it is much harder for The GOP to make that case against Hillary.

In the words of Hillary's husband, it's still "the economy, stupid." And to me it's clear among all the candidates, republican or democrat, there's only one with any experience in the private sector and with a hope of turning around what is the largest enterprise on the planet, the American economy. That's Mitt Romney. It's not fear, it's reality; the American economy was pictured on "The Economist" as the swimmer with a large "Jaws" shark underneath just a few weeks ago. Hillary and Obama will raise taxes to support their programs, which would be a disaster with an economy on the brink of recession. Huckabee would have to do the same, and McCain has admitted he doesn't know economics but "has Greenspan's book." I'm a social conservative as well, so between the economy and social issues, there's only one candidate that combines them: Mitt Romney.

If you truly support Obama, then spread this article to everyone on your email list, on every blog, and to everyone everywhere. Let his record and his years of selfless service to the American dream speak for itself. Remember, we are only separated from every other person in the world by 6 people. Send it to every American you know. Truth will always trump lies, so don't be afraid. Stand for truth in these dark times and let's take our country back from the elites.

Barack Hussein Obama gets a free pass with the media because they are afraid he will throw the race card at them too.Get real people.When did "youthful drug use" become a positive phrase??Selling drugs and using drugs no matter what age is a crime. Elect a recovering addict - choose Barack Hussein Obama